Rogan's sense of purpose and humor

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess

Tennessee defensive back Dennis Rogan, shown working on his technique during practice earlier this month, has made a quick transition from being a running back at Fulton High School to starting in the Vols’ secondary and serving as a return specialist for kickoffs and punts.

Rogan

In only a year on Tennessee's campus, Dennis Rogan has made his impact felt in a big way.

Last season, he played in more games than any other true freshman except Freshman All-America safety Eric Berry. He added a new dynamic to Tennessee's return game and ranked among the SEC's best by year's end. He played the majority of the SEC championship game against LSU at cornerback, a little less than four months after setting foot on campus.

And he put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces.

"He's not one of those rah-rah guys," says Tennessee defensive backs coach Larry Slade. "He goes out and gets it done. I think they can see the results of how hard he's worked. He's a great story."

And, at times, a funny one.

During fall camp, Rogan showed a side that his teammates have come to love. As Berry recounts it, a group of underclassmen were talking on the second floor balcony at Gibbs Hall. Underneath them stood some juniors and seniors. Next thing Berry knew, Rogan arrived with a trash can with water sloshing over the side.

"He just filled up a trash can and dumped all the water on them," Berry said. "They starting getting mad, and we just started dumping them and killing them with it. They didn't like it too well, but after a while they couldn't do anything but join us."

Seems like that's most people's reaction to Rogan, who is one of the Vols' most popular players.

Veteran players talk about Rogan as if he's their younger brother, and his classmates at UT speak highly of the former Fulton High School standout.

"All of us are pretty close outside of football and outside of school," Rogan says. "I guess you kind of develop a relationship as a little brother. Most of the guys are older than me, so it kind of developed that way. On the field I'm younger and less experienced than most of them, too, so it kind of carries over that way, too. They help me with everything, let me know what to be aware of and everything."

Rogan's popularity extends beyond UT's campus, as well.

He rarely has a shortage of ticket requests for home games, and his phone began buzzing following his first action of the year against Southern Miss in UT's second game.

"Everywhere you go it's like everybody knows you," Rogan said. "You're from here, but a lot of people know who you are just because you play football anyway. A lot of people want to see you do good. You're from where they're from and you've gone through some of the same things maybe they've gone through and you're doing good. A lot of people are just happy for you. It's been real good."

Rogan's only gotten better.

He'll start the season as UT's kick and punt return specialist after averaging 9.7 yards per punt return and 29.5 yards per kickoff return last fall.

After that whirlwind freshman year, Rogan has settled into a starting role at cornerback opposite senior DeAngelo Willingham for Monday's season-opener at UCLA (TV: ESPN, 8 p.m.). After injuries to both starters forced Rogan into the rotation last fall, he's only grown into the role.

"I look at Dennis as an overachiever," Slade said. "He's a guy that I think people underestimate. He just works his butt off. He's gotten better every day and more confident in what he's doing."

That transition isn't always an easy one. Defensive coordinator John Chavis cited the sheer number of formations an opposing offense can employ and the technique required to play the position as hurdles along the way, noting that Rogan has improved since last fall.

Slade said the transition Rogan made in only a few short months - and during the season, no less - was impressive.

"He's a running back that went to corner," Slade said. "I think a lot of times people think you can just throw them out there and they'll do great. Well, he's had to learn that. Not only has he been able to do that, but he'd be our next safety going into the football game right now. From a confidence standpoint, from a knowledge standpoint, he's certainly improved."

Already he's proved to be one of the most valuable members of the Vols' 2007 signing class, which included highly touted prospects like Berry, receiver Gerald Jones and defensive end Ben Martin.

That Rogan was initially overshadowed by other prospects doesn't matter anymore.

"It's been fun," Rogan says. "Flying under the radar is not always a bad thing. It's really never a bad thing as long as you make your way up."

And it didn't even take a year to get there.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.